Protesters call for firing of Calgary police Const. Alex Dunn
Protesters gathered outside the Calgary Court Centre on Monday to call for the firing of police officer Const. Alex Dunn, who was convicted of assault against a Black woman while in custody.
- Warning: some readers may find details in this story disturbing.
A number of anti-racist groups in Calgary, including BLM YYC (Black Lives Matter), Inclusive Canada and Black People United, say they will also contact a number of provincial officials.
Taylor McNallie, co-founder for Inclusive Canada says she plans to continue protesting and the Black Lives Matter movement has not died down.
"We are in this for the long haul, I will be black for the rest of my life," she said, adding that there is fear in the community that more Black lives are at peril from police use of force.
Video released during the assault trial shows Dunn slamming Dalia Kafi face-first to the ground as her hands were handcuffed behind her back.
Kafi is seen bleeding in the video and the court heard she needed surgery for a broken nose and stitches in her lip.
Dunn was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm in 2020. In June, he was given a 30-day conditional sentence with no jail time.
A statement from Calgary Police Service to CTV News says Dunn has been suspended without pay and does not have access to equipment, including his badge and his gun.
Kafi died suddenly in Red Deer days prior to Dunn's sentencing.
Her family told CTV News they are still grappling with everything and believe Dunn’s sentence should have been more harsh.
CPS also says they will be engaging in an internal disciplinary process after the criminal court process is complete.
Dunn is also the subject of an internal CPS investigation for an unrelated incident that happened in 2012.
The protest is also being arranged by a group called Black People United, which is focussed on providing social supports for marginalized groups.
Prudence Aticka says that the focus isn't narrowly on Dunn but this case did receive worldwide attention after video of the assault went viral, he just happens to be the latest example, she says.
Aticka also says defunding the police is about investing in safety, crime prevention and providing access to housing and mental health care, adding that the current police model is draining money and causing harm.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.